Books in Young Naturalists series

AAAS Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Finalist 2016NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 2016 An engaging book that encourages young nature enthusiasts to explore the world of birdsThis generously illustrated, full-color book teaches kids that birds can be seen almost anywhere: in city parks and streets, zoos, farms, and backyards. Using “Try This,” “Look For,” and “Listen For” prompts, Birdology promotes independent observation and analysis, writing and drawing skills, and nature literacy. Kids observe the diversity of shapes, colors, patterns, and behavior of birds; listen for their songs and the clap of wings; make a juice-box feeder; plant flowers that attract hummingbirds; start a birding journal and sketchbook; and much more. Other topics that are presented in clear, kid-friendly prose include migration, nesting, food, territories, and conservation and preservation. Additional resources, such as a glossary, bird orders and scientific names, bird and wildlife organizations, and “Teacher Topics” to initiate classroom discussion and investigation, are also included.

From cobras and copperheads to pythons and boas, all types of snakes are covered in this book of 40 science experiments, art projects, and games that help budding herpetologists gain a greater appreciation for these slithering reptiles. Activities include making foldable fangs to learn how snakes’ teeth and jaws work together; simulating cytotoxic snake venom while making a tasty snack using an everyday enzyme found in pineapple; and mimicking the sound a rattlesnake makes using a rubber band, a paper clip, and an envelope. Engaging, simple, and safe experiments teach kids about the biology of snakes, such as how they use their tongues and nostrils to detect smells, how they are cold-blooded and sensitive to subtle changes in temperature, and how they can detect the slightest vibrations or tremors. Kids do not need a snake for any of the activities and will delight in all the strange snake facts and gross-out projects such as Snake Stink—where they create their own signature stink and test how well it repels potential predators.Did you know...Snakes do not need to be coiled to strike. They can strike from any position, even underwater!Cobras and coachwhips are two of the few snakes that can move in a straight line forward while keeping their upper body raised off the groundSnake venom can actually help humans too: a blood pressure medicine was developed from the venom of a Brazilian pit viper, and over 60 other treatments have been created from snake venoms

National Outdoor Book Award Honorable Mention in the Children's category 2017 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 (National Science Teachers Association - Children's Book Council) Finalist for the 2017 AAAS / Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Book exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers Did you know . . .Trees have many talents—they can feed and house animals, create windbreaks, protect watersheds, and help prevent soil erosion. Researchers believe they have found the oldest tree in the world—a spruce in Sweden that has been alive for about 9,500 years. Even dead and decaying trees and stumps are often teeming with life! Young nature enthusiasts will learn these and many other fascinating facts about the wonderful world of trees in Treecology. This fun and interactive resource includes plentiful full-color photos and drawings and clear, kid-friendly discussions of tree structures, families, and foods; the interaction between trees and the wildlife that depend on them; tree and forest–related jobs and preservation, and much more. With encouragement to “Try This,” “Look For,” and “Listen For,” kids participate in 30 hands-on activities that promote observation and analysis, writing and drawing, math and science, and nature literacy skills. They will measure the circumference of a tree trunk, press and preserve leaves, study the textures of tree bark, find evidence of forest creatures, record their findings in a decorated forest logbook, and more. Readers from any region will start to take notice of the trees around them—not just in forests and woods but also around the schools, parks, buildings, and sidewalks of their town, and in their own backyards. Useful resources include a glossary of “tree terms,” common and scientific names, a list of tree and nature organizations and groups, and a teacher’s guide to initiate classroom discussion and investigation.

Everyday kids learn how they can help protect bird species, near and far, with the award-winning book Counting Birds—the real-life story behind the first annual bird count. What can you do to help endangered animals and make a positive change in our environment? Get counting! Counting Birds is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces kids to the idea of bird counts and bird watches. Along the way, they will learn about Frank Chapman, an ornithologist who wanted to see the end of the traditional Christmas bird hunt, an event in which people would shoot as many birds as possible on Christmas. Chapman, using his magazine Bird-Lore to promote the idea of counting birds, founded the first annual bird count. More than a century after the first bird count, bird counting helps professional researchers collect data, share expertise, and spread valuable information to help all kinds of birds around the world, from condors to hawks to kestrels and more. Counting Birds introduces kids to a whole feathered world that will fascinate and inspire them to get involved in conservation and become citizen scientists. ​2019 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students: K–12 (National Science Teachers Association and Children's Book Council)2019 Best STEM Book for K–12 Students (National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council)Winner of the 2019 Riverby Award (The John Burroughs Association)Recipient of the 2019 Green Earth Book Award Honor (The Nature Generation)

Finalist for the 2020 AAAS / Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Book exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers DID YOU KNOW...Scientists believe that mosses, the first plants, may have changed the Earth’s climate from hot to cold by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?Many members of the cabbage family release a poison “mustard” gas to fend off grazers?Plants are used in thousands of industries, from low-cost sewage treatment to new medical cures?Young nature enthusiasts will learn these and other fascinating facts about plants in this colorful, interactive resource. Plantology contains fun, kid-friendly discussions and activities to explore many topics—from seeds, roots, and sprouts to plant skeletons, leaves, petals, and fruits. It then goes beyond the basics to delve into the unknown world of common weeds, fascinating plant defense systems, and the countless roles plants play in our lives. With encouragement to “Try This,” “Smell It,” and “Look For,” kids participate in 30 hands-on activities that promote observation and analysis, writing and drawing, math and science, and nature literacy skills. Children will keep a journal, examine and sketch plant structures, start a seed collection, make tasty vegetarian dishes, and more. Readers from any environment will start to notice the plants around them—not just in parks, gardens, and woods but also surrounding the schools, buildings, and sidewalks of their town, and in their own backyards. Useful resources include a glossary of scientific terms, a list of nature organizations and groups, and a teacher’s guide to initiate classroom discussion and investigation.

From butterflies and beetles to crickets and katydids, these experiments, art projects, and games will bring out the entomologist in every kid. Activities include collecting and sketching insects, making a terrarium for observation, raising mealworms, using math to measure bug strength, gardening to attract butterflies and other insects, and making an insect amplifier. A unique insect board game helps kids learn fascinating bug facts while they play. Sidebars offer a look into the world of professional entomology, as well as gross facts about insects that will provide great playground trivia, including the USDA's guidelines for allowable insect parts per cup of food. Kids will learn that science is not just something to read about, but something they can observe and study in the world around them.

Amazing Amphibians explores the major amphibian groups—frogs, salamanders, and caecilians—including their anatomy, behavior, and conservation needs. Young nature enthusiasts will learn about slime, venom, hibernation, and much more in this full-color overview of amphibian life history. Amazing Amphibians highlights a number of high-interest species through thirty fun, hands-on activities. Readers will learn about various characteristics of amphibians, like egg-laying, metamorphosis, and ectothermy, along with facts about their diet, habitat, behaviors, and more. This useful resource includes a glossary of scientific terms, a guide to understanding amphibian orders, and a teacher's guide to initiate classroom discussion.